Apparatus for conveying parcels or grain by atmospheric pressure



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

G. E. BUELL. APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING PARCELS 0R GRAIN BY ATMOSPHERICPRESSURE.

No. 338,138. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

N. PETERS, PhokoLllhu mpher. yvuhm m. n. c.

2 t 8 8 h S .h t e e h S 3 L L E U B E C m d 0 M 0 N APPARATUS FORCONVEYING PARCELS 0R. GRAIN BY ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE.

No. 338,138. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

ATTORNEY.

N, PETERS Phntn-Lihogmpllar. Washinglcn. D. C.

(1101101131. SSheets-Sheet 3 G; E. BUELL.

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING PARCELS OR GRAIN BY ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE.

110. 338,138. Patented M11. 13, 1886.

WITNESSES: i In??? M 75 @A ATTORNEY.

N1 PETERS Phcmuum n m-r. Washmglon. 11c

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. BUELL, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING PARCELS 0R GRAIN BY ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE.

SFECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.338,138, dated March 16,1886.

Application filed June 1, 1885.

.T 0 ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. BUELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful ImprovementinConveying Parcels, Grain, and other Matter by Atmospheric or GasPressure, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

The object of my invention is to convey parcels and materials throughconductingmains by means of air from a compressing apparatus, or bygases resulting from superheated steam or other sources.

My invention consists, primarily, in a pneumatic-carrier system havingan air-tight receiver provided with motor gas inlet, and opening into anoutlet transmitting main which is equipped with an outwardly-openingvalve to allow grain to pour from the receptacle into the main, and areceiver for the transmitted grain having a cushioning device upon whichthe grain is received.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel represents my invention in partialelevation and section for carrying parcels. Fig. 2siniilarly representsa detached part of same. Fig. 3 shows in partial vertical sectiondevices for operating my invention as applied to carrying grain. Fig. 4shows in top plan view a relaying-station, and Fig. 5 shows in partialvertical section a modified form of devices shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is across-section of a double conveyer, and Fig. 7 is a partlysectional sideelevation of my system of grainconveyl n g. Y

Referring to Fig. 1, A is a receptacle of any suitable character, with aman-hole or lid, L, closing air-tight thereon, and held by screw Sagainst pressure.

P is an induction-pipe from an air or gas supplying apparatus providedwith valve V, for controlling the supply of pressure.

1? is a conducting-pipe from the said supplying apparatus.

M is a main for conveying parcels, 850.

V is a flap-valve in the main M, hinged at u.

B is a branch pipe from the main P", to admit pressure therefrom undercontrol of valve V into the main M afterthe carrier E (shown in dottedlines) has been driven by the air- Serial No. 167,128.

(No model.)

pressure in the receptacle A beyond the branch pipe B.

In transmitting parcels the carrier Eis laid on a table, 0, in thereceptacle A on a level with and so as to enter main M, when pressure islet into the receptacle A, or it can be manually inserted in the main M.Pressure being maintained in l? as the carrierE passes into section M ofthe conductingmain, it opens valve V and automatically operates thevalve-opening mechanism D (which will form subject-matter for a futureapplication) by making operative an electric circuit in an obviousmanner; but mechanical means without electricity maybe used toautomatically operate the valve. As the carrier E passes by valve V*said valve closes, and the air or gas rushes between the carrier E an dvalve V, through another branch pipe, B", also containing a valve in thecircuit ofthe valve-operating mechanism D, said valve V acting to closethe section M. The carrier E preferably fits the main M close, and iscovered with felt or leather to an extent to make it fit properly.Several sections, like M, can be used, the mechanism D being intended toautomatically run back and close after a predetermined time. \Vhen thecarrier E enters the section 1? of Fig. 2, which is in continuation ofthe main M, it compresses the air therein and is gradually slowed up,and as it enters a receiving-case, A, it is projected against thecurtain or swinging piece.

X and drops into the case. from which it can be removed through man-holeL. A safetyvalve, S V, is provided in the section II? to relieve a toogreat pressuretherein. The momentum'ofthe-"carrier E carries it from onesection to the next, the pressure in the preceding section beingrelieved by escape, as shown by arrows at V To properly convey grain andother like material that might clog a pipe if supplied to the pipe intoo rapid a manner, the grain should be fed into the pipe, so as tofloat in the moving air passing through the pipe. In order to do thisthe box A. Fig. 8, is filled or partly so through man-hole L and abucketwheel, V, revolved by electromechanical or other preferred meansby its buckets b, takes up the grain and projects or feeds it to themain M. The pressure enters the receptacle YOO A through pipe P andpasses into the main M, carrying the grain with it.

T is a shelf or lip on the mouth of the press ure-pipe to catch droppinggrain.

V V are valves in the pressure-pipe and main, respectively, forcontrolling the flow of pressure.

Fig. 4 shows in plan view a double receptacle, A A, so arranged anddivided that one apartment can be filled while the other apartment isbeing emptied through the main M. Branches and valves are shown fortransfer ring the pressure alternately to the said apartments.

Fig. 5 shows suction-tubes h h, used in place of wheel NV of Fig. 3, tofeed the grainpropn erly to the main. The air or gases enter thereceptacle A through pipe P. The receptacle A can be filled through pipeN from a remote station, then be closed by valve V, and the pressureenters through pipe P to send the grain forward. A pipe (not shown) maybe used instead of the man-holes L to fill the apartments A A of Fig. 4.

Fig. (5 shows asection of a double main,M M of Fig. 1., fed withpressure through valvular branch pipes 13, from a pressure-pipe, P,com.- mon to'both, so that parcels can be sentin opposite directionssimultaneously from one supply of pressure. The air and gases can beforced through water before entering the pipe P or main M,to cool,dry,ormoisten the air or gases. If the water is colder than the air, it coolsand dries it. If the water is hot, it moistens the air.

To maintain a uniform temperature in the pipeP and main M duringtransit, they may be protected as steam-pipes are to preventeondensation by coating or covering them with a non-conductor of heat.

In Fig. 7 I haveshown more in detail my system of conveying grain byrelays of pressure. 1 may represent an air-compressor, such asshown inmy United States Letters Patent No. 246,657, the air-cylinder of whichis connected with the pressure-pipe P. A is the grain-receptacle,supplied with grain through the man-hole L, or from a distance throughthe pipe N, and having an internal air-pressure through the branch-pipeq of the pipe P. The receptacle A opens into the pipe P under regulationof thevalveF, and said pipe is conjoint with the main M. This main leadsto and empties in a second receptacle, A, at another station, whichreceptacle is provided with a relay-compressor, 2, similar tocompressor 1. This compressor 2 has the press nal station is alsoarranged a compressor, 3,

similar to those at l and 2 and connected to a receiver, K, by pipe R,to supply air to said receiver to form a cushion for the incoming grain,so as to prevent injurious impact. The receiver K and terminal of themain M preferably meet in a hopper, A from which the grain may bewithdrawn as desired. The receptacle A of the second station is shownprovided with a receiver, K, which is similar in construction toreceiver K, and which may be supplied with air from compressor 2 or froman independent compressor.

I do not herein claim, broadly, the independ ency of the sections, meansfor operating'a signal in connection with my system, means forcontrolling under all circumstances the air in the sections, and meansfor venting the sections, but will embody said features in otherapplications.

I do not limit my invention to the single purpose of conveying grain, asobviously its usefulness is extensible to the transmission of othermatter.

\Vhat I claim is 1. In a pneumatieearrier system, the airtightreceptacle A, the motor-gas inlet, and

the main M, opening from said receptacle and I provided with anoutwardly-opening valve to allow grain in said receptacle to pour intosaid main, and a receiver for the transmitted grain provided with anelastic or yielding medium to receive the grain without injuriousimpact,substantially as described.

2. A pneumatic tube in sections, each provided with a valve or gate hungpendulous within said section, and an air-escape vent between said gateand the contiguous section, substantially as described.

3. In a pneumatic-carrier system, a double main, M M, for transmittingmaterial in opposite directions, combined with a single supply-pipe, P,and valvular connections there with, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of May,A. D. 1885.

CHARLES E. BUELL.

iVitnesses:

\VILLIAM F. MELLows, W. M. CONVERSE.

